Sounding the whistle on racism cut short my professional journey - Burrell

Warning: This piece contains details of racially offensive language and behaviour

Ex-England centre Luther Burrell says that speaking out to reveal racial discrimination in rugby union led his professional journey to an premature end.

In a 2022 interview, Burrell described racism as being "widespread" in the sport, showing Whatsapp messages and remembering training ground "jokes" he had been exposed to while playing for Newcastle.

At that time 34 and without a team, Burrell's only professional rugby since has been a handful of games with guest team the Barbarians.

"I've have absolutely had to end my career because of what happened," he told reporters.

"I wanted to carry on competing, of course I did. I pursued that, and it fell through when word emerged that there were investigations going on.

"That was challenging - I had to simply accept the fate and understand that this whole process is a lot bigger than me."

A sports organization report in 2023 found Burrell's claims were accurate "on the balance of probability", but stated it could not gather sufficient evidence to categorically say they occurred at Newcastle.

Burrell revealed to journalists he also faced prejudice within the England set-up, during a Test career that saw him win 15 caps after his debut in 2014.

"I have had multiple distressing experiences within England camp," he stated.

"Certain instances of discrimination and some just outdated thinking that's really inappropriate."

Racism had become accepted in team environments, in Burrell's view.

"It's something that has been dressed up as humour and that's been the issue that I've myself experienced and witnessed," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican heritage.

"During a period of time you just learn to believe that it's the standard and that is fine and that it's not harmful, but that's incorrect."

Burrell explains he was eventually spurred to speak out after a team-mate at Newcastle called him as a "slave" and told him to put sun cream on his wrists and ankles "where chains would be placed."

The rugby authority said Burrell's revelations had led to "a deeper look at the environment within the elite game and to the implementation of an action plan for the elite level."

"We has placed significant attention on diversity and diversity in rugby union and a substantial amount of work undertaken both prior and after Luther Burrell came forward and revealed his encounters of racism and classism," it continued.

"We are ongoing work with teams and partners in the professional game to strive for a environment of inclusivity but recognize this takes time and is an ongoing process."

All Premiership and PWR club now has in-person training on building inclusive environments, with its success monitored via individual reports and feedback.

All England players, including youth squads, are trained in being "active bystanders" to intervene and defend others from damaging behaviour.

"You be so proud of what you have accomplished," Burrell's mother Joyce said to him as part of the documentary about his experiences.

"We know it has had this impact on you and finished your career, but in our eyes, you have done so much. We are so impressed of you and to have you as a son."

Burrell's dad Geoff passed away shortly after the production of the film, and his sister passed away recently.

Burrell, who grew up on a social housing in Huddersfield, maintains his work to make the sport more accessible.

His charitable organization aims to connect with children in disadvantaged communities and help them succeed on and off the pitch with free sports training, mentoring and dietary education.

"My personal intentions are pure, I want to see the progress of the game and if others is willing to tell their experience then I'll persist to advocate for that cause because I'm not just doing this for my own benefit," he said.

"We have an responsibility to make the game as excellent as it can be and the longer I talk about it hopefully the more confident others will become about discussing their own stories as well.

"I need to grab the challenge by the horns and keep carrying this flag and continue carrying this responsibility and do what I can to create opportunities and make the game more appealing and more inclusive.

"There's a lot of underprivileged young people and a lot of economic hardship and I sincerely believe that rugby has the ability to transform their futures, just as it did for me."